[NHRABill]

Originally Posted by zonker

OPINION:

buying a new car instead of recycling the existing automotive fleet currently occupying our earth is counterproductive to reducing the carbon footprint, no matter what the fuel economy is.

in many cases, repairing an older car is a greener option than purchasing a new one.

so with that in mind, when i hear someone say they bought their brand new (enter your favorite car here) because they are trying to reduce their carbon footprint and be more responsible, i think they are only fooling themselves, because that not yet used up car sitting for sale in the classifieds will serve them much better.

and what happens if more people repair their old cars instead of buy new ones?
large multi-national companies (read major polluters) will shrink in size, and smaller cottage industries will thrive, bringing our hard earned dollars back out from wall street and into our local economy.

Waiting to hear the responses I got blasted in another thread for saying the same thing

The idea of buying a new car to save 5 or 10 mpg is nuts in the thinking you are doing better for the environment. Repairing an older car or upgrading a used car with a newer motor or Fuel injection setup for increased economy is by far better for the planet then purchasing a prius

Or at least that is the story I will tell my wife when I swap in a LS1 with a 6 speed in my truck "But dear I will go from 15mpg to almost 30mpg"